How Busy Is Barack?

It's Thanksgiving and I'm sure Barack is dining, spending quality time with his family. He had a major state dinner so he might be debriefing with the White House Social Department (which I didn't know existed until today.) I've been a cookie monster today and eaten everything in sight. I'm updating to pose the question: is the White House administration embracing a "policy of distraction", as one Salon.com commenter responded to Joan Walsch's excellent analysis of the presidency so far. Obama is ALL OVER THE PLACE!! I worry he's too busy to focus and manage his time.

Worrying about his half-brother's book

WHOA! Barack's half-brother Mark Ndesandjo (?!) who lives in China (??!!!) has "broken his media silence" to promote a SEMI-AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL about domestic violence.

The book references none other than Barack's abusive father and does not mention the President. WUT!!!! this is BEYOND CRAZY on the Obama-dar and you can bet Obama is discussing the new book over with close friends right now. He is looking forward to seeing his brother in China and really hashing out some of these hard issues. He is wondering what the heck the book says and he may even be making a few phone calls to obtain a copy immediately. Barack definitely looks like his half-brother (who looks kind of Chinese? Is he??).

The unveiling is similar to that of Barack's adorable white Nana at the Democratic National Convention. (RIP)

Honestly, it's MONDAY - where IS he??

Tracking Obama on a Monday should be as easy as pie, but where the heck is he? Did he spend the whole day crouched under his desk, muttering about New Jersey? I used to think I could just look in my heart, but he's not there either. Even soulfulvibes.net couldn't deliver the Obama news I need, not really. Let's put it this way: a Clean Energy Conference does not an Obama Spotting make. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden traveled to Yankee Stadium and the President was apparently content to stay behind, doors locked, catching up on some paperwork.

At a Rally in New Jersey

I don't know how he got there, but Obama drew 6,500 people at a rally in Camden and another 11,000 in Newark this afternoon.

People began lining up early in the morning - police officers said as early as 6 a.m.

After a little research, we learn that Obama arrived at Newark-Liberty International Airport aboard Air Force One just before 3 p.m. and emerged as the plane door opened on the tarmac a few minutes later. He was joined by NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (the only incumbent governor seeking re-election this year, actually.)

The pair walked down the steps and into the presidential limousine, where the motorcade departed for the Prudential Center. About two-dozen family members of Secret Service and Air Force One staff watched from a penned-in area nearby.

Corzine apparently had the crowd chanting, "Yes, We Can!" I would, too, if the President was hanging out with me for a few hours. FYI, Obama carried New Jersey in November 2008, with 57 percent of the vote. The president called Corzine "my good friend and your governor."

The President most likely will fly home tonight.

Going to Church?

Updates were scant today and I didn't want to go on the record on the day of rest unless I was sure the President was getting his religion on, but we can play it pretty safe to assume the Obamas are attending church right now. Rumor has it they attended Episcopal St. Johns, two blocks from the White House and complete with a "Presidential Pew", last week. They could be there again.

On an unrelated note, I have been digging into the DELICIOUS visitor logs for the White House, newly released . Transparency like you've never seen before, says the official White House blog. Accept no imitations.

I'm sure Barack's publicity team was squeamish -- One "William Ayers" topped the visitors list! but please note! Barack Obama is NOT that stupid! This was not the Weather Underground co-founder and elementary education theorist who once threw Barack a fundraiser but a DIFFERENT William Ayers.

Other false positives include Not Michael Jordan, Not Michael Moore, Not Jeremiah Wright, and Certainly Not Robert (R.) Kelly.

While you're decompressing, enjoy Barack's Halloween photostream.